PREVIEW: 2011 Regular Season, Game 7

EPHRATA AREA MOUNTAINEERS (0-3, 0-6)

@

WILSON BULLDOGS (3-0, 5-1)

Where: Gurski Stadium, Wilson High School, West Lawn, PA

When: 7:00 PM, Friday, October 14th

HOW'D THEY GET HERE?

• Well the Bulldogs have certainly come a long way since the season-opening loss to bitter rival Governor Mifflin, haven't they? The answer is yes. Yes, they have. Wilson has won five straight straight, including three straight in League playe, which stretches their ridiculous league game winning streak to 25 straight! The Bulldogs have defeated Manheim Central, Reading, J.P. McCaskey, Cedar Crest & most recently Hempfield. They now host a winless Ephrata team struggling to find a direction. The main reason for the Bulldogs quick turnaround has been their defense. Ever since the 2nd half versus the Barons in Week 2 the Wilson 'D' has been LIGHTS OUT. They're stuffing runners, pressuring the opposing QBs, and covering WRs with ease. Week 7 shouldn't be much of a test; Weeks 8 & 9, however, will be. Hopefully the 'dawgs won't be caught looking ahead...
• The Mountaineers are certainly struggling. They lost their 1st four games by a combined 38 points. They've been in the games vs Exeter (6-0), @ Cocalico (2-4), @Conestoga Valley (3-3) and @ Manheim Township (5-1). Unfortunately for them they haven't been able to secure a 'W'. Things got worse in Weeks 5 & 6 as Ephrata's opponents (vs Penn Manor, vs Warwick) won by a combined score of 72-21. The Mounts haven't won a league game since the 2009 season.

MATCH-UP HISTORY

• The game this Friday in West Lawn will be just the 6th all-time meeting between the Mounts & Bulldogs. Wilson has dominated the new series thus far, winning all 5 of the previous match-ups. The Bulldogs won last year at Ephrata, 63-0.

FOLLOW THE GAME LIVE

• While it's not TV or even radio, you can follow tonight's game "live" via the Internet. For a live scoreboard, check out MaxPreps.com, where yours truly will be updating the event as close to real-time as possible.
• If that's not your thing you can also follow @WilsonBulldogs on twitter. I try to get some light play-by-play action & score updates on there as well.

Helmet images courtesy PA Helmet Project.

RECAP: Bulldogs Stretch L-L Win Streak to 25 Games

The Bulldogs had another complete, team effort in their victory Friday evening over the Hempfield Black Knights. The win was Wilson's 5th of the year (and 5th straight) to stretch their record to 5-1. The 36-3 victory in Landisville also stretches their record winning streak in the Lancaster-Lebanon League to 25 games. They haven't lost a league game since October 26th, 2007, at Manheim Township. Wilson will host Ephrata (0-6) this Friday night at Gurski Stadium in West Lawn. Team & individual stats. below.

SOME NOTEWORTHY WILSON STATS

TEAM 

OFFENSE

First Downs: 21

Rushing Attempts / Yards / TDs: 36 / 205 / 2

Passing Attempts / Yards / TDs: 21 / 216 / 3

Total Yards: 421

Penalties / Yards: 10 / 87

DEFENSE

First Downs Allowed: 7

Rushing Attempts / Yards / TDs Allowed: 23 / 52 / 0

Passing Attempts / Yards / TDs Allowed: 14 / 58 / 0

Total Yards Allowed: 110

INDIVIDUAL

OFFENSE

Passing: Klein - 14 of 21, 216 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT

Rushing: Gillin - 17 carries, 167 yards, 2 TDs, 1 fumble

Receiving: Joseph - 2 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD

DEFENSE

Tackles: TBD

Interceptions: None

Run defense leads Wilson's rout of Hempfield [READING EAGLE]

Statistics [BERKS GAMEDAY]

PREVIEW: 2011 Regular Season, Game 6

WILSON BULLDOGS (2-0, 4-1)
@ 
HEMPFIELD BLACK KNIGHTS (2-0, 2-3)

Where: Georgelis Law Firm Stadium, Landisville, PA

When: 7:00 PM, Friday, October 7th

HOW'D THEY GET HERE?

• Wilson has responded quite well since their season-opening loss to Governor Mifflin, 34-28, in OT. They've won 4 straight, including their first two versus Lancaster-Lebanon League competition (McCaskey & Cedar Crest). The offense has gotten better, especially senior QB Seth Klein, though senior RB Rodney Gillin remains the focus. The biggest reason for the high level of play is the defense. Since being decimated by the rushing attack by the Mustangs in Week 1, the squad has been relentless, routinely holding opponents below their game averages.
• Despite starting the season 0-3, with losses against Lampeter-Strasburg, Lancaster Catholic, and Central York, the Black Knights have won two straight. They toppled Penn Manor, 28-21, in Week 4 & J. P. McCaskey, 38-12, in Week 5. The game versus Wilson will actually help decide a front-runner in L-L Section 1 with Manheim Township.

MATCH-UP HISTORY

• This is the 38th meeting between the Bulldogs (2-0, 4-1) & the Black Knights (2-0, 3-2). 1st place in L-L League Section 1 is on the line on Friday night! Wilson leads the all-time series, 27-10-0, with their last win coming in 2010 at Gurski Stadium in West Lawn, 35-0. They also won on their last trip to Landisville, 28-7. Hempfield hasn't won a game in the series since 2005, when they defeated the Bulldogs 56-28 at home.

Helmet images courtesy PA Helmet Project.

RECAP: Wilson Rips Cedar Crest

The Bulldogs had no problems against the hapless Falcons on Friday night in Gurski Stadium, winning 42-6. Senior QB Seth Klein was magnificent, consistently finding open receivers, especially senior WR Jake Morgan. Senior RB Rodney Gillin had a solid game despite not playing in the 2nd half. The Wilson defense played a masterful game yet again, suffering only one let down early in the 3rd quarter. Wilson's win was their 4th straight this season and 10th straight versus Cedar Crest. Team and individual stats. listed below.

SOME NOTEWORTHY WILSON STATS

TEAM 

OFFENSE

First Downs: 16

Rushing Attempts / Yards / TDs: 22 / 150 / 3

Passing Attempts / Yards / TDs: 21 / 292 / 3

Total Yards: 442

Penalties / Yards: 7 / 72

DEFENSE

First Downs Allowed: 11

Rushing Attempts / Yards / TDs Allowed: 32 / 69 / 0

Passing Attempts / Yards / TDs Allowed: 18 / 194 / 1

Total Yards Allowed: 263

INDIVIDUAL

OFFENSE

Passing: Klein - 12 of 18, 284 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs

Rushing: Gillin - 6 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD, 0 fumbles

Receiving: Gillin - 8 catches, 183 yards, 2 TDs

DEFENSE

Tackles: Moyer - 9

Interceptions: none

Wilson routs Falcons [READING EAGLE]
Statistics [BERKS GAMEDAY]

PREVIEW: 2011 Regular Season, Game 5

CEDAR CREST FALCONS (0-1, 0-4)
@ 
WILSON BULLDOGS (1-0, 3-1)
 

Where: Gurski Stadium, West Lawn, PA 
When: 7:00 PM, Friday, September 30th

HOW'D THEY GET HERE?

• The Bulldogs are coming of yet another inspiring performance, a 34-13 victory over McCaskey in their Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1 opener. The score makes the game seem closer than it really was; Wilson starters were done in the 3rd with a 34-0 lead. The win stretched the Bulldogs record to 3-1, with the only loss coming in the season opener at rival Governor Mifflin in OT. The Bulldogs have won 3 straight thanks mostly to their stellar defensive play. Wilson is only giving up about 100 total yards per game to opponents in the past 3 games, all Wilson wins. The contributions of Rodney Gillin cannot be overlooked, either. After missing Game 1, Gillin has rushed 61 times for 409 yards and 7 TDs in the teams' 3 victories. If Las Vegas were placing lines & bets on high school football (just to clarify, they're not) the Bulldogs would more than likely be favored entering every game the next 3 weeks (vs Cedar Crest, @ Hempfield, vs Ephrata). The next big test comes October 21st at Manheim Township. First things first - a Bulldogs victory over Cedar Crest this Friday.
• The Falcons (0-1, 0-4) have struggled mightily for the past decade. After strong teams in the late '90s and very early 200s, the Falcons have mustered little. Since the 2004 season Cedar Crest has posted just two none-losing seasons - 6-4 in 2004 & 5-5 in 2005. Since the '05 season the Falcons have not won more than 4 games, with two 1-9 seasons (2006 & 2010) and two 2-8 seasons (2007 & 2008). Unfortunately for them the 2011 season has been like recent history. They lost in Week 1 to Lebanon, 47-13; Week 2 at Conrad Weiser, 37-21; Week 3 at Hershey, 44-23; and last week in their L-L Section 1 opener vs Warwick, 45-34. They aren't completely devoid of talent however. WR Daulton Ritter is QB Garrett Levengood's favorite target. They also have some size in the trenches. Shoudl be a good one this Friday at Gurski Stadium!

MATCH-UP HISTORY

• The Falcons haven't fared well historically in this gridiron battle. Wilson has faced only Governor Mifflin more times than Cedar Crest; the Bulldogs have played the Falcons 53 times prior to this Friday's game. And Wilson has won 46 times, including last year's 43-13 win in Lebanon. Cedar Crest has not defeated the Bulldogs since the 2001 season, a 21-0 shutout victory that ended Wilson's 35 game home winning streak.

Helmet images courtesy PA Helmet Project.

Bulldogs in the NFL: 2011 Week 3

For the second straight week three former Bulldogs participated in NFL games. Here is how they fared...

• Kerry Collins, QB, Indianapolis Colts (Class of 1990) - Kerry was 13 of 29 for 93 yards in the loss on Sunday night to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Colts 3rd L this year. Collins was knocked out of the game with what is thought to have been a concussion and is questionable to participate in Indianapolis' Week 4 game at Tampa Bay.

• John Gilmore, TE, New Orleans Saints (Class of 1997) - Inactive for the teams week 1 loss to the Packers, John has participated in each of the teams past two contests - both Saints victories. New Orleans defeated the Houston Texans this past Sunday and John played in two TE sets as well as on special teams. He did not catch a pass. Gilmore and his Saints teammates travel to Jacksonville this Sunday.

• Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins (Class of 2004) -Chad rebounded from his below average game versus the Texans in Week 2 with a solid personal outing in Week 3 against the Browns. Though Miami eventually lost the game, 17-16, Chad threw 29 times (19 completions) for 255 yards and 1 TD. Unfortunately the team sits at 0-3 with a trip to San Diego this Sunday.

RECAP: Gillin, 'dogs Defense Take Down McCaskey

The Bulldogs victory over the Red Tornado on Friday, September 23rd, 2011, in Lancaster, was a muddy mess. PHOTO: Lee Vivian [EasternPAfootball.com]

"Defense wins championships" is an old football phrase but it could certainly be true for the 2011 Bulldogs. After getting slashed in the opener by the Mustangs, the Wilson defense has stepped up big time. In their 34-13 victory over J. P. McCaskey Friday evening in the pouring rain, the Bulldogs defense gave up just 3 first downs & 99 total yards - and much of that came against 2nd & 3rd string players after the game was well in-hand. The game was each teams first Lancaster-Lebanon Section 1 game. The Wilson win was their 3rd straight while McCaskey lost for the fourth time in a row.

Of course it wasn't just the Wilson defense that was dominant Friday night on the muddy Lancaster field. The offensive line opened up some large holes for star RB Rodney Gillin, who rushed 27 times for 177 yards & 3 TDs. Gillin also caught a 7-yard TD pass from QB Seth Klein, who was asked to throw the ball just 9 times (5 completions) due to the conditions.

Mud-covered RB Rodney Gillin rushes vs J. P. McCaskey on Friday, September 23rd, 2011, in Lancaster, PA. PHOTO: Lee Vivian [EasternPAfootball.com]

Wilson led 21-0 at halftime and 34-0 midway through the 3rd quarter before the starters & upperclassmen gave way to the J.V. squad.

That's 10 straight strong quarters of football from the Bulldogs, who struggled in the first game-and-a-half at Governor Mifflin & Manheim Central. Up next? Another L-L Section 1 match with the Cedar Crest Falcons.

SOME NOTEWORTHY WILSON STATS

TEAM 

OFFENSE

First Downs: 20

Rushing Attempts / Yards / TDs: 57 / 284 / 4

Passing Attempts / Yards / TDs: 9 / 24 / 1

Total Yards: 238

Penalties / Yards: 3 / 25

DEFENSE

First Downs Allowed: 3

Rushing Attempts / Yards / TDs Allowed: 23 / 27 / 0

Passing Attempts / Yards / TDs Allowed: 14 / 72 / 1

Total Yards Allowed: 99

INDIVIDUAL

OFFENSE

Passing: Klein - 5 of 9, 24 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs

Rushing: Gillin - 27 carries, 177 yards, 3 TDs, 0 fumbles

Receiving: Gillin - 1 catch, 7 yards, 1 TD

DEFENSE

Tackles: Joseph, Shields, & Rothrock - 3

Interceptions: Rivera - 1

Photos from the Game by Lee Vivian [EASTERNPAFOOTBALL.COM]
Gillin powers Wilson to win over McCaskey [READING EAGLE]
Statistics [BERKS GAMEDAY]